Control arrangement for a trailer vehicle

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a control arrangement for a trailer vehicle and to a trailer vehicle. The control arrangement according to the invention comprises a brake system, a lighting system ( 2 ), a control device for controlling the lighting system ( 2 ), and a data transfer means ( 4 ) for transferring data between the control device and the brake system, wherein the control device and the brake system are arranged such that information about the status of the lighting system ( 2 ) is transferred to the brake system by means of the control device, and/or information about the brake system is transferred to the control device for changing the status of the lighting system ( 2 ).

The present invention generally relates to embodiments of a control arrangement for a trailer vehicle, and also to a trailer vehicle having such a control arrangement.

Trailer vehicles which have a brake system, a light system and a control device for controlling the light system are known. The brake system has the function of controlling the braking behavior of the trailer vehicle. The light system comprises various light elements, for example brake lights, reversing lights, turn signals or side marker lights. The status of the light system can be changed by means of the control device, for example a brake light, a reversing light, a turn signal, a warning light and/or a side marker light can be activated or deactivated.

The object of the present invention is to increase the functionality of a control arrangement which comprises a brake system, a light system and a control device for controlling the light system. A further object is to provide a trailer vehicle having a control arrangement of this kind.

These objects are achieved by a control arrangement and a trailer vehicle as claimed in the independent claims.

The dependent claims relate to advantageous developments.

The control arrangement, according to the invention, for a trailer vehicle comprises a brake system, a light system, a control device for controlling the light system, and a data transmission means for transmitting data between the control device and the brake system, wherein the control device and the brake system are designed in such a way that information about the status of the light system is transmitted to the brake system by means of the control device and/or information in the brake system is transmitted to the control device for the purpose of changing the status of the light system.

The control arrangement according to the invention enables the brake system to use information about the status of the light system to control the braking behavior of the trailer vehicle. Conversely, the status of the light system can be actively influenced by the brake system. In addition, high-impedance or DC decoupling between the brake system and the light system can be achieved on account of information about the status of the light system being transmitted to the brake system by means of the control device and the brake system influencing the light system indirectly via the control device.

By way of example, the brake system can read-in the status of a reversing light of the light system without additional cabling in order to identify an ongoing reversing operation, identify imminent cornering on the basis of the status of a turn signal of the light system, and, in the event of an active warning light of the light system, set a safe chassis state or an unloading level. In the event of automatic driving dynamics interventions in the brake system, the brake system can, for example, actively actuate brake lights of the light system by means of the control device or, in the event of activation of a ramp approach assistant, actuate clearance lamps of the light system.

The control arrangement preferably comprises a sensor system which can be controlled by means of the control device. The sensor system can comprise, in particular, distance sensors for monitoring the area behind the vehicle, door switching contacts and/or temperature sensors. The control device and the brake system are advantageously designed in such a way that information in the sensor system can be transmitted to the brake system by means of the control device. This enables the brake system to influence the braking behavior of the trailer vehicle on the basis of information in the sensor system.

At least some of the light elements of the light system and/or the sensors of the sensor system are preferably connected to the control device via a common bus. In comparison with an individual wiring system, which is likewise possible, the amount of cabling and outlay on installation, in particular, can be reduced by using a common bus.

The invention will be explained in greater detail below with reference to an exemplary embodiment which is illustrated by a FIGURE. The FIGURE schematically shows a trailer vehicle having a control arrangement according to the invention.

In this case, the trailer vehicle is in the form of a semitrailer of a semitrailer tractor. It has three wheel axles in the rear region, said wheel axles being symbolically indicated by wheels 13.

The control arrangement comprises a brake system, a light system 2, a control device for controlling the light system 2, a data transmission means 4 for transmitting data between the control device and the brake system, and a sensor system. In this case, the brake system is an electronic brake system which is known per se and has a brake modulator 1 with an integrated control unit for controlling wheel brakes (not illustrated in any detail) which are associated with the wheels 13 of the trailer vehicle. The light system 2 comprises two combined rear lights 8, a brake light, a reversing light, a turn signal and a warning light being integrated in each of said rear lights, and also a plurality of side marker lights 9 and a license plate lighting means 14. The rear lights 8 are arranged on the right- and left-hand sides of the rear of the vehicle and the license plate lighting means 14 is arranged in the center of the rear of the vehicle. The side marker lights 9 are located on the left-hand and on the right-hand side of the trailer vehicle. Furthermore, the light system 2 comprises two clearance lamps 15 which are likewise arranged on the right-hand and on the left-hand side of the rear of the vehicle. The rear lights 8, clearance lamps 15, side marker lights 9 and license plate lighting means 14 are connected to a central electronic control unit 3, which forms the control device in this case, via a cabling system. The sensor system comprises two distance sensors 10, a door switching contact (not illustrated) and a temperature sensor (not illustrated). The distance sensors 10 are arranged on the right- and left-hand sides of the rear of the vehicle. Said distance sensors serve to monitor the area behind the vehicle, in particular as part of a ramp approach assistance means. The distance sensors 10 are formed by ultrasound sensors in this case.

The elements of the light system 2, that is to say the rear lights 8, the side marker lights 9, the clearance lamps 15 and the license plate lighting means 14, and the elements of the sensor system, that is to say the distance sensors 10, the door switching contact and the temperature sensor, are connected to the central control unit 3 by means of a common bus 11. The bus 11 comprises a data line and two supply lines, wherein the data line serves to transmit data and the supply lines serve to supply power to said elements. It is possible, in particular, to use the data line to control the elements of the sensor system and of the light system 2, for example to activate or to deactivate the brake lights or a turn signal, or to transmit measurement data from the sensor elements or status information from the elements of the light system 2 to the central control unit 3. The central control unit 3, the elements of the light system 2 and the elements of the sensor system are formed with suitable interfaces for connection to the bus 11.

As an alternative, it is possible to provide individual wiring systems in some areas or throughout, said individual wiring systems leading from the central control unit 3 to a respective element of the light system 2 or of the sensor system.

The trailer vehicle has a first connection 5 for connection of the central control unit 3 to a truck. The first connection 5 is formed in accordance with ISO12098 in this case. A second connection 6 for connection of the brake modulator 1 to the truck is also provided. The second connection 6 is formed in accordance with ISO7638 in this case. The first connection 5 and the second connection 6 are arranged on the front of the trailer vehicle at the truck end and are in each case connected to the brake modulator 1 or to the central control unit 3 via an electrical cabling system 12.

The central unit 3 and the brake modulator 1 are designed, for example, by suitable electronic components and programs in such a way that information about the status of the light system 2 is transmitted to the brake modulator 1 by means of the central control unit 3 and information in the brake system is transmitted from the brake modulator 1 to the central control unit 3 for the purpose of changing the status of the light system 2. Furthermore, the central control unit 3 and the brake modulator 1 are designed in such a way that information in the sensor system is transmitted to the brake modulator 1 of the brake system by means of the central control unit 3. This transmission takes place via the data transmission means 4 which, in this case, is in the form of a bus 4 which connects the brake modulator 1 and the central control unit 3 to one another, wherein the brake modulator 1 and the central control unit 3 have interfaces which are suitable for the connection operation. An individual wiring system would also be possible as an alternative. The bus 4 has at least one data line for transmitting data.

Therefore, information about the status of the light system 2 and information in the sensor system, in particular measurement data, are indirectly available to the brake system via the central control unit 3. This information can be used to improve the braking behavior of the trailer vehicle in a manner controlled by the brake system. Furthermore, the brake system can influence the status of the light system 2, for example can activate brake lights or warning lights, via the central control unit 3. Since power is supplied to the elements of the light system 2 and of the sensor system by the central control unit 3, the brake system is electrically decoupled from the light system 2 and the sensor system.

In an alternative embodiment, the connection 6 is not connected to the brake modulator 1, but rather to the central control unit 3. The brake system therefore receives signals from a truck and the electrical power supply via the central control unit 3. The bus 4 has lines which are suitable for this purpose, in this case a data bus line for transmitting data and lines for electrical power supply. 

1. A control arrangement for a trailer vehicle, comprising a brake system, a light system (2), a control device for controlling the light system (2), and a data transmission means (4) for transmitting data between the control device and the brake system, wherein the control device and the brake system are designed in such a way that information about the status of the light system (2) is transmitted to the brake system by means of the control device and/or information in the brake system is transmitted to the control device for the purpose of changing the status of the light system (2).
 2. The arrangement as claimed in one of the preceding claims, wherein the brake system has a brake modulator (1), and the data transmission means (4) is designed to transmit data between the control device and the brake modulator (1).
 3. The arrangement as claimed in either of the preceding claims, wherein the control device has a central control unit (3).
 4. The arrangement as claimed in one of the preceding claims, wherein the data transmission means (4) comprises a data bus (4) and/or at least one individual wiring system.
 5. The arrangement as claimed in one of the preceding claims, additionally comprising a first connection (5) for connection of the control device to a truck.
 6. The arrangement as claimed in one of the preceding claims, additionally comprising a second connection (6) for connection of the brake system to a truck.
 7. The arrangement as claimed in one of the preceding claims, additionally comprising a sensor system which can be controlled by means of the control device.
 8. The arrangement as claimed in claim 7, wherein the control device and the brake system are designed in such a way that information in the sensor system can be transmitted to the brake system by means of the control device.
 9. The arrangement as claimed in one of the preceding claims, wherein the light system (2) and/or possibly the sensor system are/is connected to the control device via a bus (11) and/or via at least one individual wiring system.
 10. The arrangement as claimed in one of the preceding claims, wherein the light system (2) comprises at least a brake light (8), a reversing light (8), a turn signal (8), a warning light (8), a clearance lamp and/or a side marker light (9).
 11. The arrangement as claimed in one of the preceding claims in conjunction with claim 7, wherein the sensor system comprises at least a distance sensor (10), a door switching contact and/or a temperature sensor.
 12. The arrangement as claimed in one of the preceding claims, wherein the brake system is an electronic brake system.
 13. A trailer vehicle, equipped with a control arrangement as claimed in one of claims 1 to
 12. 